Modular cabinets and replaceable laminate panels for a gaming device

Abstract

A modular cabinet for use with a gaming device. The gaming device modular cabinet includes a display cabinet removably connected to a component cabinet by a locking mechanism. The cabinets are preferably made of rolled steel, where the display cabinet is adapted to receive at least the display, while the component cabinet is adapted to receive the components for the gaming device other than the display. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention includes laminated side panels connected to the display and component cabinets. The gaming device further includes a monitor cover removably connected to the display cabinet.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM [0001] This application is a continuation of, claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 690,705, filed on Oct. 17, 2000, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0002] This application is related to the following commonly-owned co-pending patent applications: “TRANSLUCENT MONITOR MASKS, SUBSTRATE AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVABLE ATTACHMENT TO GAMING DEVICE CABINET,” Ser. No. 09 / 686,243, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-450, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,541; “DISPLAY AND MASK FOR A GAMING DEVICE,” Ser. No. 29 / 130,997, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-453, now U.S. Pat. No. D456,855; “DISPLAY AND MASK FOR A GAMING DEVICE,” Ser. No. 29 / 131,001, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-454, now U.S. Pat. No. D456,046; “DISPLAY AND MASK FOR A GAMING DEVICE,” Ser. No. 29 / 131,076, Attorney Docket No. 0112300-461, now U.S. Pat. No. D456,457.[0003] The present invention relates in general to a gaming device, and more particu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The present invention provides a gaming device having a modular cabinet construction and replaceable laminate panels which significantly enhances the manufacturing, modification and repair processes for gaming devices. In the preferred embodiment, the modular cabinet includes upper and lower cabinets or housings removably connected together and two replaceable laminate panels removably connected to the opposite sides of the modular cabinets. The present invention also contemplates a third laminate panel connected to the back of the gaming device if desired by the manufacturer.

[0009] The replaceable laminate panels include a substrate and a laminate on the outer or exterior side of the substrate. Preferably, the substrate is extruded from aluminum or an aluminum alloy, although other suitable materials or methods of manufacture are contemplated. The laminate layer, preferably displaying the decorations, colors, figures, characters and indicia representing the gaming theme and scheme of the gaming device is applied to the exterior side of the substrate. The laminate layer is preferably a colored, pressure sensitive laminate comprised of vinyl, vinyl and metal composite, polyvinyl chloride, or some other mixture, applied to the outer surface of the substrates. The laminate panels are relatively simple and inexpensive to fabricate, light in weight, thin, yet strong and resistant to abuse. Suitable fastening devices are used to removably attach the laminate panels to the cabinets.

Problems solved by technology

Manufacturing gaming devices is an expensive and time intensive process.

Obviously, such gaming devices cannot be built until the manufacturer determines the game theme and scheme.

The wood panels are cut or otherwise made to fit the cabinet, which is a time intensive and expensive process.

These wood panels are difficult to work with, heavy, unwieldy and require a great deal of maneuvering to properly position the panels on the cabinet during the manufacturing process.

Moreover, removing and replacing these panels is difficult.

The wood panels cannot easily be removed in a gaming area to change the gaming theme or scheme of a gaming device or exchange new panels for damaged or discolored panels.

This process increases lead times because no work can be done until the laminate has been applied.

Removing such gaming devices from the gaming area to change the panels is prohibitively expensive for the gaming owners and disruptive to their patrons.

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